UK ports recorded 19% rise in passenger figures 2016

Last year, 114 individual cruise ships called into UK ports, many ships calling on multiple occasions, bringing a record 1,214,000 passenger day calls, an increase of 19% over 2015, Cruise Britain, which promotes the country as a cruise destination, said in a statement

A total 52 lines visited UK ports as diverse as Tyne and Torquay, Liverpool and London, Harwich and Holyhead - 55 in all.

Round Britain cruises remain increasingly popular as an ideal way of exploring Britain's diversity of coasts, castles, cities and countryside. The short sailing distances between Britain's shores and adjoining countries add to the itinerary possibilities. CruiseBritain's new online video showcases a collection of the many different faces of modern Britain.

“Over 1.21million is a marvellous figure to reach and it's great to leave 2015's 'magic million' far behind. Day call figures have tripled in 10 years and 2016 has seen one of the biggest year-on-year increases. The growth in day call passengers shows no sign of slowing down and is testament to the tireless work of our members and of all involved in the British cruise industry,” commented Angie Redhead, Chair of CruiseBritain.